​Two days have passed since the United States men’s national team exited the tournament in the Round of 16 with a 4-1 defeat to Belgium, but the World Cup pace remains relentless as the quarterfinals get underway on Thursday. For U.S. fans nursing the sting of disappointment, there’s a natural impulse to move on by immersing yourself in more soccer — or by choosing a fresh favorite to cheer on in the next round. With eight teams left, six from UEFA, one from CAF, and one from CONMEBOL, there’s ample reason to pick a second-chance squad to rally behind.
When it comes to selecting a new team to back, no justification is too small. Perhaps a country ties to your family history, perhaps you’re drawn to the color of their kits, or maybe you’re simply eager to root for someone other than the usual powerhouses that dominate the sport. Each of the eight remaining teams has its own appeal, and if you need a few talking points, here are reasons to get behind every one of them.
France looms as a familiar but potent threat. In 2022, the plan for back-to-back glory hinged on a dramatic late surge led by captain Kylian Mbappé. He delivered two goals in a tight two-minute spell to force extra time, then scored again in extra time to push the match toward penalties. Although Argentina prevailed in the shootout, Mbappé still claimed the Golden Boot. As France stands among the co-favorites to clinch the title again this year, Mbappé and Lionel Messi are both in remarkable form at the top of the Golden Boot standings, with Messi on eight goals and Mbappé on seven. The draw positions France to meet Argentina again, and a France-Argentina rematch could become one of the tournament’s most compelling chapters. For France and Mbappé, the road to the final promises intense, high-stakes drama, and lifting the trophy would feel like vindication after last year’s heartbreak.
Let’s be candid: the quarterfinals feature a fairly familiar cast. Morocco’s presence, too, offers a note of novelty. The Atlas Lions have already proven they belong, having reached the semifinals four years ago and continuing to showcase quality play. Their run this year is built on resilience and tactical shrewdness, not luck. Morocco’s journey has been characterized by unpredictability in a good way: they have shown the ability to strike decisively when opportunities arise, as evidenced by their performance against Canada, where three goals came from just four shots on target, all in the second half. This pattern reveals a team that maneuvers with patience and efficiency, leveraging a robust defense and a goalkeeper, Yassine “Bono” Bounou, who has delivered standout performances throughout the tournament.
In short, the remaining eight teams offer a mix of familiar heavyweights and the occasional underdog triumph, a refreshing contrast after the Round of 16 saw a long run of UEFA teams controlling the narrative. Whether you’re chasing a personal connection, a distinctive kit, or simply the thrill of rooting for a squad with teeth, these quarterfinals provide plenty of compelling reasons to latch onto a new favorite as the World Cup moves forward.